Machine for applying decalcomanias



July 11, 1944. wfM. MUlR MACHINE FOR APPLYING DECALCOMNIAS Filed July 15, 1941 1o sheets-sheet 1 July 1-1, 1944. lw. M.`MulR MACHINE FOR APPLYIANG DECALCOMANIAS Filed July 15, i941 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

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Filed July l5, 1941 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 11, 1944.I

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MACHINE FOR APPLYING DEGALGOMANIAS Filed J uly 15, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 July 11, 1944. w. M. MUIR MACHINE FOR AIPLYING DEGALCOMANIAS 1o sheets-sheet 9 Filed Julyl 15, 1941 July 11, 1944. w.M. MUIR MACHINE FOR APPLYING DECALCOMANIAS 1o sheets-sheet 1o" Filed July 15, 1941y 275 C A. 27? if' xii IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,353,352 A MACHINE FOR APPLYIN G DEC'ALCOMANIAS William M. Muir, South Orange,` N. J.

Application July 15, 1941, Serial No. L102,548

21 Claims. (Cl. 41-1) This invention relates to a machine for applying decalcomanias to articles.

Decalcomanias are being used commercially in increasing quantities for a variety of purposes such as tax stamps on cigar, cigarette and other packages as well as on bottles and cans; as trademarks on eggs; and as designs on knife handles and various other articles of manufacture.

The decalcomanias in their various uses are now applied by hand which is, at best, a slow and expensive process. It is, therefore, the main object of this invention to provide an entirely automatic machine for applying decalcomanias to any articles for which they are intended.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which will automatically feed decalcomanias from a magazine and apply them to the articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for applying a predetermined number of decalcomanias at the same time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine that is relatively simplein construction and operation.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is a machine for applying decalcomanias in the form of tax stamps to cigarette packages. A modified form of the invention is also shown in the drawings which illustrates a machine for applying decalcomanias to eggs as trade-marks.

Although I have shown machines for applying decalcomanias to cigarette packages and eggs as illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is contemplated that the invention may be incorporated in machines for applying decalcomanias to any articles that may be desired.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention with certain parts broken away;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine as seen from the right hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the machine;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side View of the main drive shaft of the machine and the indexing turret on which decalcomanias are placed.;

Figure 5 is a section view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing the mechanism for. feeding decalcomanias from a supply to the turret;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view with parts broken away showing the feeding mechanism; t

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing parts of the operating mechanism for the feeding mech-fl anism;

Figure 9 is an enlarged `plan view of the pick.- up slide and mechanism shown in retracted position;

Figure 10 is a similar View showing the slide in projected position;

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line I I-I I of Figure 3 showing the supporting structure for the pick-up slide;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a pick-up shoe;

Figure 13 is a bottom view thereof;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentaryplan view showing the mechanism for removing used strips from the turret;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the fluid system and cams fori operating the valves in the system;

Figurel 16 is a plan view of a modified form of pick-up slide and mechanism;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view showing the pick-ups used in this modification and the holders therefor;

Figure 18 is a horizontal sectional view of the pick-ups taken on the line |8-I8 of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a rear view of a modied turret Wheel; and

Figure 20 is a sectional View thereof taken on the line l9 |9 of Figure 18.

The application of decalcomanias in the form of tax stamps to packages of cigarettes has vheretofore been accomplished commerciallyV by removing one side of a carton to expose one end of each of the cigarette packages in the carton. The decalcomanias are then applied to each of the packages by hand. According to the present invention, the machine shown in the drawings is designed to apply decalcomanias automatically to the exposed ends of the cigarette packages after one side of the carton has been opened.

Manufacturers of decalcomanias usually supply them in large sheets which may be cut intor smaller sheets or strips of desired shape containing any .number of decalcomanias. The decalcomanias are usually attached tothe sheets by an Vadhesive which will dissolve in water Ito permit removal of the decalcomanias. For use in the machine Vshown in Figures, 1-15( .of the drawings, these sheets are preferably cut into str-ips containing ten decalcomanias arranged lin a single row.

As shown particularly in Figure l, a supply of these strips is placed in a magazine I on the anachine from which individual strips are removed by a feeding mechanism 2 and transferred to one of the faces of a turret wheel 3. The decalcomani-as on the turret wheel are indexed through a moistening medium in the form of a container 4 of water or other suitable liquid to dissolve the adhesive, and then to a position in front of a transfer mechanism 5 which removes the moistened decalcomanias from the strip and applies them to each of ten packages of cigarettes 6A in a carton 6. The strip remaining on the turret is removed after another indexing step by a rake 1.

The machine has a suitable framework conveniently formed of angle iron and consisting of four vertical supportsv, 9, I0 and II, arranged f at thecorners of the machine. The supports 9` and I0 are connected by three horizontal mem-- bers I2, I3 and I4 on one'sideof the machine,

and supports 8 and I I are connected by horizontal members I5, I6 and I1 on the opposite side of the machine. The sides of the framework are connected by horizontal members'Y I8, I9 and 2E! infront and by horizontal members 2I, 22 and 23 in the rear of the machine.

The power for driving the varlous parts of the:

machine is furnished by an electric motor 24 mounted on aplate 25 that is supported bythe horizontal member 2I and a similar member 26 extending betweenthe sides of the framework. As may best be seen in Figure 3, a shaft 21 is supported by bearings 28 and 29 Awhich arev mounted on, horizontal members 2I and 26, respectively. A pulley 30 is mounted on one end of the shaft 21 and is connected by a belt 3| to another pulley 32 that is driven by the motor' 24 through a reductionl gear enclosedin a housing' 33. A gear 34 on' the shaft 21 meshes with a gear 35 to drive a shaft 36 that is the main shaft of the machine. The main. shaft 36 is supported by bearings 31 and 38 mounted on horizontal members 39 and 49,' respectively, that extend between members I3'and I6.

As will hereinafter more fully appear, all of the mechanically operated mechanisms which make upy the machine are actuated by the Amain shaft36 and eachrevolution of this main shaft effects one operation of each of the mechanisms.A

A cam 4I is mounted on the end of the main shaft (Figures 4 and 5) and has a stud'42 onone face that is arranged to engage slots 43 in a Geneva wheel 44. The Geneva wheel 44 and also the turret wheel 3 are mounted on a shaft 45 that is supported by bearings 46 and 41 which are mounted on horizontal member I9 and a similar member 48. The turret 3 as shown in the drawings, has eight faces 49, but it is contemplated that any desired number of faces may be used .without departing from the scope of the invention. The Geneva wheel 44 has eight slots 43 corresponding to the `faces on the turret 3, so each revolution of shaft 36 causes one-eighth of -a revolution, or one indexing movement of the Geneva wheel 44 and turret 3. For convenience in the description of the machine, Vthe eight positions of the faces of the turret have been designated A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H as shown in Figure 1, and will be hereinafter referred to by these letters. Y v

As shown in Figure 5, the cam 4I moves a follower 5IJ on one end of a bell crank lever 5I that is pivo-tally supported by a pin 52. The other arm of the lever 5I carries a locking pin 54 which lis moved into engagement with one of a series of notches 55 in the Geneva wheel when the follower 50 is moved upwardly by the cam 4I. The cam is arranged so the pin 54 is withdrawn from the notch 55 by a spring 56 just before the stud 42 engages a slot 43 in the Geneva wheel, and is moved into the next notch as soon as the stud is removed from the slot in the Geneva wheel.

As shown in Figures l, 4 and 9, a plurality of pins 51 project from each of the faces 45 of the turret 3. Decalcomania strips 58 are impaled Yon these pins 51 by the feeding mechanism 2, the

pins being arranged to pierce the strips 58 between decalcomanias 58A (Figure 9).

The magazine I is shown in detail in Figures 6 and '1, and consists of angle iron vertical pieces arranged to form a pair of channels 59 and 66 for holding a large supply of the decalcomania strips 56. These strips are placed in the channels 59 and 65 with the decalcomani-as 58A facev down and are prevented from falling out of the bottom b y a plate 6I which is arranged to slide away from the channels on a pair of horizontally disposed bars 62-62.

The feeding mechanism 3 (Figures 6 and 7), for transferring the strips of decalcomanias from the magazine I to the faces 49 of the turret, comprises a plate 63 secured to the end of a shaft 64 reciprocally and rotatably supported in bearings 65 and 66 (Figure 2) which are mounted on uprights 61 and 68, respectively. Reciprocation of shaft 64 causes the plate 63 to slide on bars 62. The plates 6I and 63 are substantially the same thickness, so the plate 63 can slide under the channels 59 and 66 and move the plate 6I away without disturbing the dec-alcomania strips 56. Movement of plate 6I away from channels 59 and 66 is resisted by a pair of springs 69-69 which surround pins I6-10 mounted on a brace 'II extending between the bars 62. The pins 16 have their ends disposed in apertures 12 formed in plate 6E so the plate will be guided as it slides to and from its position below the channels 59 and 66.

nels 59 and 66, the decalcomaniarstrips 58 in the bottom of the magazine are prevented from sliding out with plate 6I by a pair of pins 13 in a U-shaped bracket 86 which extends downwardly from horizontal member 26 and a similar member 6| connecting the sides o f the framework. The lever 11 carries at its upper end, a roller 82 in position to engage the face of cam I 16, and the lower end of lever 18 is formed with a toe 83 that is adapted to engage a collar 84 that is rigidly mounted on the shaft 64. A compression Vspring 85 is arranged on the shaft 64 between the bearing 66 and a collar 86 to normally force the shaft 64 toward the front of the machine. The forward limit of the shaft 64 is determined by a collar 81A (Figure 2) on the shaft which is arranged to engage the bearing 65 when the plate 63 is aligned with one of the faces 49 on the turret.

When the' plate 63 moves the plate 6I from under the chan- For each revolution of the main shaft 36, the drum cam 16 will move roller 82 and lever 11 causing the rock shaft 19 to oscillate and move the toe 83 of lever 18 against the collar 84. This will cause the shaft 64 to move toward the rear of the machine lagainst the action of spring 85 and thereby move the plate 63 under the chanf nels 59 and 60. At this point, as will hereinafter be more fully described, suction is applied `to holes 81 in the upper face of the plate 63 though hose connections 88-88 and passage 89, whereby the bottom. decalcomania, strip is held to the plate 63 while it is returned to its forward position by the action of spring 85. A 'pair of pins 90-90 are adjustably mounted on a brace 9| extending between the channels 59 and 60. These pins are adjusted so their lower ends are spaced from the surfaces of plates 6| and 63 a distance equal to the thickness of one strip of decalcomanias 58. Thus, as the plate 63 removes the bottom strip 58 from the magazine the other strips are retained therein by the pins 90.

After the plate, with a strip 58 of decalcomanias held on its face by suction, has returned to its forward position, it is rotated counter-clockwise 90 to impale the strip 58 on the pins 51 projecting from the faces 49 of the turret. As shown in broken lines in Figure 7, the 90 rotation of the plate 63 brings it into engagement with the face 49 that is in position A so the pins 51 on the face 49 will slide in the holes 81 and thus pierce the decalcomania strip 58. After this occurs, suction is relieved from the plate 63 'and it is returned to its horizontal position, leaving the strip 58 on the face of the turret.

' 'I'he mechanism for rotating the shaft 64 is actuated by a cam 92 and is shown most clearly in Figure 8. This mechanism includes a lever 93 that is pivotally supported at one end by a stud 94 projecting from a bracket 94A mounted on'horizontal member 26, and is pivotally connected at its other end to a link 95. tral portion of the lever 93 is formed with a follower 93A that is arranged to engage the cam 92. An arm 96 projects from the collar 864on shaft 64 andl is connected to the link 95, so movement of lever 93 by cam 92 causes the collar 86 and shaft 64 to oscillate, A counter weight 91 is attached to collar 86 to return the shaft 64 to its normal position as the cam 92 permits the lever 93 to return to its normal position. The pivotal connections at the ends of the link 95 have suiiicient play so the rotating mechanism will not interfere with the reciprocation of the shaft 64. Y

As will readily be seen from the above description, each revolution of the main shaft 36 will effect one complete operation of the feeding mechanism. The drum cam 16 first causes plate 63 to reciprocate, under channels 59v and 60 to remove one decalcomania strip 58, by application of suction to the plate, and return with the strip to a position in alignment with the turret 3. The

`cam 92 then actuates mechanism `which causes the shaft 64and plate 63 to rotate 90 to impale the' decalcomania strip on the pins 51 `on the face 49 of the turret that is in position A. vThe counterweight then returns the shaft 64 and plate 63 to their original'positions, and the feeding mechanism is ready for another cycle of operation.

After a strip of decalcomanias has been placed on the face of the turret in position A, the turret is indexed one-eighth of a revolution by the stud 42 and Geneva wheel 44. This moves each of the The cenfaces of the turret one indexing step, so the face that was formerly in position A is moved to position. B.

The decalcomania strip on the face of the turret that is in position B is partially immersed in the liquid in container 4. As the turret is further indexed, the decalcomania strip is moved to posi tion C where it is entirely submerged, and then to positionV D where it is again only partialy submerged. The time interval required to index the turret through these three positions permits the strip 58 to absorb suiiicient moisture to dissolve the adhesive which holds the decalcomanias 58A on the strip. 'I'his loosening of the decalcomanias from the strip is completed during the time required for the strip to be indexed through positions E and F. When the strip reaches position G, the decalcomanias are ready tol be removed by the transfer mechanism 5 which will now be described.

The trans-fer mechanism 5 consistsof a slide 98, fitted on and reciprocally supported by a dovetail member 99 (Figure 11) which is mounted on horizontal members 53 and 8| The slide 98 is reciprocated by a drum cam |00 (Figures 4 and 11) mounted on the main shaft 36 and having a cam groove |0| formed in its surface that is adapted to engage a stud |02 attached to the under side of the slide 98 and extending through a slot |03 in the dovetail support 99. The groove |0| in the drum cam |00 is formed so the slide 98 will reciprocate forward and backward once for each revolution of the mai-n shaft 36. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the slide 98 carries ya transversely extending base plate |04 which has a pair of vertically disposed plates IUE-|05 mounted on its end portions that support a pair of transversely extending rods `|06- |06 Four holders |01, |08, |09 and ||0 for pick-ups' are slid-r ably mounted on rods |06, and one centrally located holder ||2 is aflixed to the base plate |04.

All of the holders have angularly extending projections ||3 which are drilled to hold two pick-ups laterally offset with respect to each other. When the slide is in its'retracted position as shown in Figures 1 and 9, the holders are held closely adjacent each other in nested relation on the central portions of the rods |06 so each of the pick-ups is aligned longitudinally with one of the decalcomanias 58A on the strip 58. As the slide is moved forward by thev drum cam |00, suction is applied to thevpick-ups and they are moved downward toward the turret to remove the decalcomanias from the strip. The slide continues forward and the holders spread laterally as shown in Figure 10, to align the pick-ups with the packages of cigarettes in the carton 6, at which time Huid pressure is applied to the pickups which forces the decalcomanias onto the cigarette packages. The slide then returns to its retracted position and the holders move to their central positions. The mechanism for effecting the movements of the pick-ups and their holders will now be described.

Each of the slidable holders has a pin ||4 projecting upwardly fromits body portion. The holders |01 and |08 are connected by a link H5 which ts snugly on the pin on the holder |01 and has a lost motion connection with the pin on holder |88. A similar link ||6 ts on the pin on holder 0 and has a lost vmotion connection with the pin on holder |09. A tension spring ||1, which is connected between the pins on holders |08 and |09, tends to draw these two holders towardy oneanothcr. A pair of posts ||8||8 are ymounted on-the horizontal member 53 on opporound'the rods |20 between the pins I4 and nuts |24 on the ends ofthe tubes ||9 to tend to force the holders |01 and-I I0 toward the center of the rods |06 as shown `in Figure 9.

During'the first part of the forward motiony of the slide 98, the pins |2| slide in slots |22 so the holders'retain their central nested positions due to the force of spring l l1 and springs |23. After the pick-ups have passed over the turret 3 and removed the decalcomanias 58A from strip 58, the pins 2| reach the ends of slots |22 so during further forward movement of the slide, the holdersV |01 'and ||0 Vspreadl outwardly; After this'occurs, the lost motion connections between the links ||5 and I6 and the pins on holders |09 and |09 are taken up until finally-these holdersalso spread outwardly. When the pick-ups reach a position over the cig'arettepackages in the carton 6, they are spread as shown in Figure 10 and fluid pressure'is applied to the piek-ups so the decalcomanias are blown onto the packages. The slide then returns to its retracted position and the spring |'|1 with springs |23 return the holders to their central nested positions.Y

Each of the pick-upsv consists of a body portion from which projects a rod |26 that is slidably mounted in the projection H3 of the holder. A head |21 mounted on top of the rod |26 contains a ball |28 for engaging a cam bar |29 as the slide 98 moves the pick-ups over the turret.` A compression spring |30 surrounds the' rod |26 between the projection V| |3 and the head- |21 to normally hold the pick-up inV its uppermost position with the body portion |25 directly beneath the projection ||3. As clearly shown in Figures 12 and l 13, the body portion has a hollow shoe 13| attached to its lower end by a projectionY |32 extending upwardly from the shoe. 'Ahose connection |33 is formedon the' shoe |3| through which suction and pressure are applied to act on the decalcomanias through' a numberof small holes |34 formed in the bottom face of the shoe. The cam bar |29 is supported directly over -the turret by rods |35 which are mounted von posts |36 on the top of the framework. As the slide 98 moves forward, the pick-ups are moved downwardly toward the decalcomania strip on the turret by engagement of `balls |28 with the cam bar |29. At the same time, suction is applied to the pick-ups which draws theidecalcomanias awai7 from the turret. The downward motion ofthe pick-ups is effected independently of and Vwithout interrupting their forward movement.' This results in a sweeping action for lifting the decalcomanias from the turret. Although'the bottom face of the shoe |3| maybe brought into direct contact with the strip 58 to effect the removall of decalcomanias therefrom, it has been found that the decalcomanias may be readily removed with a small clearance between the strip andthe shoe of the pick-up. By maintaining a small clearance between the deoalcomaniasA and the pickups, the possibility of .scarring vor wrinlrlinr.r the decalcomanias isv greatly reduced.

p After the decalcomanias have beentransferred from the'strip'58 to the packages ofv cigarettes, the slide returns to its retracted position and the indexing mechanism moves the turret another step. The face 49 Vthat was formerly in position G is moved to position H where the used strip is removed by the rake 1. `As shown in Figures' 1 and isV attached to a reciprocating rod |38 by means of aY bar |39. Bearings |40 and |4| mounted on horizontal members 65 and 8|, respectively, support the rod |38. A bar |42 is attached to the slide 98 and slides between the collars |43 and |44 which are secured to the rod |38, thereby reciprocating the rod and the rake. The rake is normally heldin its rearmost position by a compression spring |45 which surrounds the rod |38 between the bearing |40 and the collar |1113. A link |46 is attached to the rod |38 and is arranged to slide on a stud |41 projecting from bearing |40 t'o prevent rotation of therod and thus hold the rake in position to move across faces 49 of the'tu'rret. The teeth of the rake are arranged to slide in grooves Y|98 formed between thepins v51 on eachface of the turret.` Each time the slide. 98 reciprocates, it operates the rake to remove the used lstrip 58 from the face of the turretthat is in position H. After the strip is removed, thel turret is indexed' 'and the face 49 is moved from position H to position A where it is ready to receive another strip of decalcomanias from the feeding mechanism 2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the mechanism for applying suction'to the feedingv mechanism and suction and pressure to thepick-ups will now be described. The source of the suction and pressure is an air pump having an inlet |5| and an outlet |52. The pump is driven by a belt |53 that is connected between a pulley |54 on the motor 24 and aV pulley |55l on the pump.v The application of suction and pressure to lthe feeding mechanism and the pick-ups Vof the' transfer mechanism is controlled by seven valves |56, |51, |58, |59, |69, 16|, and |62 which 'are actuated by cams |63-, |34, |65, |66, |61, |68,- and |69, respectively. The cams are mounted on a cam shaft |10 which is supported `in bearings |1|- and |12 and driven by a'chain |13 that is connected between sprockets |14 and |15 on the mainshaft 36 and the cam shaft |10, respectively; "The sprockets '|14'and |15 are identical so the camshaft |19 will revolve once for each revolution of the main shaft 36.

'A pair of posts |16 are supported on the horizontal member |1 to carry a rod |11 on which are pivotally mounted cam levers |18, one for each of the cams and valves. Each of these cam levers has a follower |19 on one end for engagement with 'its cam and is pivotally connected at the other end to its respective valve stern |30. The cams and lever mechanisms are identical for each of the valves with the exception ofthe shapes of thecams. The relative positions and shapes of the cams'as well as the various connections of the fluid system" are shown diagrammatically in Figure 15. l Y

The'positions lof the cams areV shown in this view as they appear after the slide- 98 has started its forward movement, and just as the front pickups pass over the strip of decalcomanias on the turret. At this instant in the cycle of operation,- suction is applied to the front pick-ups by the opening of valve |51 which places the inlet |5| of the pump, through conduits |8| and |82, in communication withhose connection |83 leading to'a manifold |84 (Figurevlr)Y whichis connected to,eachof the front vefpick-,ups'by tubes- |85.

'sure from the pick-ups.

Valve |62 is also open at this point, to permit the pump to exhaust to the atmosphere. After the front pick-ups have removed decalcomanias from the strip, valve |56 is opened to admit suction to the back pick-ups through hose connection |86, manifold |81 (Figure 3) and tubes |88. When the slide 98 reaches its forwardmost position, it dwells for a short interval with the pick-ups arranged over the cigarette packages. At this time, valve |51 closes to shut off suction from all of the pick-ups, and valve |62 closes to cut 01T the outlet of the pump from the atmosphere. Next, valve |58 opens to open the inlet of the pump to the atmosphere, and valve |6| opens to apply fluid pressure to all of the pick-ups by connecting the outlet from the pump through conduit |89 with conduit |90 and hose connections |83 and |86. The pressure applied to the pick-ups blows the decalcomanias onto the packages of cigarettes. At the same time that pressure is applied to the pick-ups, valve |59 opens to apply suction to the plate 63 of the feeding mechanism. The opening of, valve |59 places the inlet |5| of the pump, through conduits |8| and |9|, in communication with hose connection |92 leading to manifold |93 which is connected to the plate 63 by flexible tubes |94 (Figures 1 and 2). When the valve |59 opens, the plate 63 has been moved under the channels 59 and 60 to remove a strip of decalcomanias. While suction is being applied to plate 63, valve |58 closes to cut off the inlet to the pump from the atmosphere and valve |62 opens to connect the outlet of the pump with the atmosphere. Suction is continuously applied to the plate 63 until it has moved forward and then rotated to impale the strip on the pins 51 on the turret, at which time the valve |59 closes. At the same time, the valves |56 and |6| close to cut off pres- Before the plate 63 is moved away from the turret, valve |60 opens to connect the inlet of the pump with the atmosphere and relieve the suction from the plate 63.

After all of the mechanisms of the machine have completed their operations, the turret is indexed to another position. As soon as the indexing step is completed, the machine is ready to begin another cycle by moving the slide 98 forward and opening valve |51.

The tubes |85 and |88 are flexible to permit movement of the pick-ups relative to the slide 98 without affecting the iiuid connections. Likewise, the tubes |94 are also flexible to permit reciprocation and rotation of the plate 63. The degree of pressure and suction that is applied to the front and back pick-ups is adjusted by Volume control valves |95 and |96, respectively. A similar valve |91 controls the suction applied to the feeding mechanism.

When the machine is used for the application of decalcomanias to eggs, a modified form of transfer mechanism such as that shown in Fig? ures 16, 1'1 and 18 may be used. In the particular illustration of the invention, the decalcomanias are applied to a dozen eggs in a box holding them in two rows. When decalcomanias are applied to eggs, it is necessary to place the decalcomania almost exactly in the center of the egg. For this reason, it is necessary to have the front and back pick-ups aligned longitudinally as *well as transversely in order to accurately place the decalcomanias on the eggs.

A slide used in thismodiflcation is constructed and supported substantially the same as the slide 98 which has been previously described. The :slidej 20| carries four holders 202,. 203, `204 and 205 slidably mounted by means of a dovetail joint 206 (Figure 1'1) on a base plate 201. A stationary holder 208 `is rigidly attached to the base plate 201. A plurality of arms 209, 2|0, 2||

andV 2l2 are hinged to the reciprocable holders 202, 203, 204 and 205, respectivelmand a pair of similar arms 2|3 and 2|4 are hinged to the stationary holder 208. Each of 4the arms carries a pairl of pick-ups 2|5 and is adapted to pivot about one of these pick-ups by means of hinge joints 2|6. As shown in Figure 1'1, a bushing 2|1 for the rear pick-up forms a vhinge pin for the hinge 2|6. Each of the pick-ups 2|5 is substantially the same as pick-'ups which have already been described, so a further description is unnecessary. The main `difference is that a roller 2|8 is used in the pick-ups 2|5 in place of the ball |28.

The modified mechanism for spreading the holders from their nested positions and aligning the front and rear pick-ups after they have removed the decalcomanias from the turret consists of a pair of bell crank levers 2|'9 and 220 pivotally supported on opposite sides of the slide 20| at 22| and 222, respectively. The lever 2|'9 has one arm 223 pivotally connected to a link 224 having a slot 225 adapted lto slide on a pin 226 which is mounted on the framework of the machine. Another arm 221 of the lever 2|9 is pivotally connected to a' link 228 which is pivotally connected to a pin 229 on the holder 202. A link 230 is also pivotally connected to the pin 229 and has a slot 23| in which a pin 232 on the'holder 203 is adapted to slide. As the slide moves forward, the pin 226 slides in the slot 225 of link 224 so the bell lcrank lever 2|9 is not moved. After the pick-ups have passed over the strip 58 and removed the decalcomanias, pin 226 engages the end of slot 225 and moves the lever 2|9 so the arm 221 pulls links A228 and 230. This causes the holder 202 to move to the left, and after the lost motion connection of pin 232 and slot 23| is taken up, holder 203 is also moved to theleft, the final position of these holders being shown in broken lines in Figure 16. In a similar manner, bell crank lever 220 on the opposite side of the slide acts through links 233 `and 234 to move holders 204 and 205 to the spread position shown in broken lines in Figure 16. A tension spring 235 connected between the bell crank levers 2|9 vand 220,1and a tension spring 236 connected between vthe pin 232 on holder 203 and a similar pin 231 on holder 204 tend'to pull the four movable holders to their central nested positions as shown iny full lines. When the slide returns to its retracted position, the springs 235 and 236 return the holders to their original positions.

In order to bring the front and rear pick-ups into longitudinal alignment so they will be positioned directly over the eggs, the arms of the various holders are pivoted about the hinge joints 2|6. The mechanism for pivotally moving the arms consists of links' 233 and 239 connected to pins 240 and 24| on the arms 209 and 2|2, respectively, and having lost motion slot connec tions 242 and 243 with a pin 244 on the stationary holder 203. As the holders 202 and 205 are spread during the forward movement of the slide 20|, the links 238 and 239 cause the arms 209 and 2|2 to swing about hinge joints 2|6 until the pick-ups 2|5 `carried by each of the arms are longitudinally aligned as shown in' broken lines in Figure 16. The lost motion connections 242V and 243 permit the` holders to move almost-- to their nal spread positions before swinging the arms.

A pair of links 245 and 246 are pivotally connected to a pin 241 on the arm 2|0, and have lost motion slot connections 248 and 249 with pins-2579 and 25| on the arms 299 and' 2|3, respectively; As the holders 292 and 293 move to' their 4spread position, the lost motion con.- nections 248 and 249 are taken up. Thus, when link'238 swings arm 209, links 245 and 246 are moved and cause arms 2|0 and 2|3 to swing to position the pick-ups in longitudinal alignment as Vshown in Vbroken lines in Figure 16. Y Similarly, as'thearm 2I2 swings, links 252 and 253, which are pivotally connected to a pin 254 on arm 2|| andrhave'lost motion slot connections 255 and 256 with pins 251 and 258 on the arms 2|2 and 2|4, respectively, cause the arms 2|| and 2|4 to swinguntil the pick-ups 2 5 are longitudinally aligned as shown in broken lines in Figure 116. After the decalcomanias have been blown onto the eggs by the application of fluid pressure to the pick-ups, the slide is retracted and the arms and holders are returned to their nested positions. vAs shown in Figures 17 and 18, a link 259 is connected between each pair of pick-ups to keep the rollers 2 I8 aligned.

-Y Instead of submerging the strips of decalco; manas in liquid in a tank, the turret wheel may be modified to carry the liquid and automatically moisten the strips of decalcomanias as they are indexed from the feeding mechanism to the transfer mechanism. One modification of the turret wheel for this purpose is shown in Figures 19`and 20. In this modification, a hollow turret wheel 260 adapted to hold a quantity of liquid is mounted on a shaft 26| which corresponds to the shaft 45 of the previously described machine and is supported by a bearing 262 mounted on a horizontal membervr263 of the framework. The front of the turret 260 has an opening 264 through which liquid may be added when necessary. The turret wheel has eight faces 265, each of which is provided with a series of small holes 266.' Channel members 261 are attached to each of the faces 265 by bolts 268 and these channel members have holes 269 formed in their web portions that are arranged to correspond with the vholes 266. The channel members 261 are packed with felt or similar absorbent material 210 which is held in place by thin strips 21| extending between the sides of the channel members. Small holes 212 are formed in the strip 21| so that liquid absorbed by the felt 210, through holes 266 and 269, is transferred to the strip of decalcomanias 58 to'loosen the decalcomanias therefrom. Y

In some cases, difficulties have been caused by the tendency of the strips of decalcomaniasr58 to stretch or expandas they become saturated. In this modified form of turret, provision is made to compensate for this change in size of the decalcomania strips. The strips of decalcomanias 58 are impaled on central pins 213 projecting from the channel 261 and pins 214 formed on arms 215 of bell 'crank levers which are pivotally mounted at opposite ends of each of the channels 261. The Vother arms 216 of the bell crank levers are connected to the sides of the channels 261 by tension springs 211 which tend to pull the pins 214 at the ends of the channels in opposite directions. A segment 218 of a wheel is mounted on the horizontal member 263, and has a rim 219,

the inner side of which is adapted to .engage rollers 289 that are mounted on the arms'216 of the bell crank levers. The segment 216 is arranged to engage the rollers 280 on the faces of the turret that are in positions A and H to move the pins 214 on the opposite ends of the faces toward each other by moving the rollers 280 toward the center of the turret.

Whenstrips of decalcomanias 58 are placed on the face of the turret in position A, the pins 214 are contracted. As the face of the turret is indexed to position B, the rollers 28|] become dis` engaged from the rim 219 and springs 211 tend to move them in opposite directions so any expansion of the strip of decalcomanias is taken up by the movement of the pins 214. The face of the turret in position H has its rollers 289 in engagement with the rim 219 so the pins 214 are contracted to facilitate removal of the strip of decalcomanias by a rake, not shown, similar to the rake 1 in the machine previously described. The teeth of the rake used with this modified form of turret move through spaces 28| formed between the pins 214 and the ends of the channels 261, and grooves 282 on each side of the pins 213.

Although the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein illustrate the simultaneous application of ten and twelve decalcomanias, respectively, it is contemplated that any number of decalcomanias may be applied Without departing from the scope of the invention. It is obvious that the invention may be used for any types of articles and is not restricted to machines for applying decalcomanias to cigarette packages and eggs.

What I claim is:

l. In a machine for applying decalcomanias having a support provided with impaling means for holding a strip of decalcomanias in fixed position thereon, a feeding mechanism comprising a magazine for a supply of strips of decalcomanias, a perforated plate for removing a single strip of decalcomanias from said magazine, said perforations cooperating with said impaling means to transfer said single strip of decalcomanias to a predetermined position on said support, and mechanism for intermittently moving said member between said magazine and said support.

2. In a machine for applying decalcomanias to articles, a movable support for holding the decalcomanias, means for moistening said decalcomanias, means for transferring the decalcomanias from said support to the articles, mechanism for indexing said support withrespect to said moistening means and said transferring means, and mechanism for operating said transferring means once for each operation of said indexing mechanism. f

3. In a machine for applying decalcomanias to articles, a turret having a plurality orV faces adapted to carry strips of decalcomanias, means for moistening said strips, means for transferring said decalcomanias from said strips to the articles, and mechanism for indexing said turret toksuccessively present each of said faces to said 'moisf tening means and said transferring means.

4. In a machine for applying decalcomanias4` to articles, a turret having a plurality of-faces,

means for placing strips of decalcomanias one at a time successively on each of said faces, means for moistening said strips, meansfor transferring said decalcomanias from Ysaid strips'to the Yar. ticles, and mechanism for indexing said turret to successively present said faces to each of said means. I Y 5. `Inra machineffor applying decalcomanias to articles, a turret havingr a plurality of faces, means for placing strips of decalcomanias one at a time successively on each of said faces, means for moistening said strips, means for transferring said decalcomanias from said strips to thearticles, means for removing said strips from said faces, and mechanism for indexing said turret to Ysuccessively present said faces to each of said means, each of said means being operated once for` each operation of said indexing mechanism.

6. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a turret having a plurality of faces for carrying decalcomanias, means` ycarried by said turret for moistening said decalcomanias, and mechanism for removing the moistened decalcomanias from said faces.

'7. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a turret having a plurality of faces, means for holding strips of decalcomanias on said faces, means for moistening said strips, mechanism for moving said holding means to compensate for change in size of said strips, and means for removing said decalcomanias from the strips on said turret.

8. In a machine for applying decalcomanias having a support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias arranged in a single row, means for transferring decalcomanias from the single row on said support to articles arranged in more than one row comprising a plurality of elements for transferring decalcomanias from said support to said articles, said elements being arranged in rows corresponding to the rovvs of articles and each element being aligned with one of the decalcomanias in said single row, mechanism for moving said elements transversely of said row of decalcomanias, and suction means actuated as each row of elements moves across said row of decalcomanias for applying suction to said elements to cause them to remove decalcomanias from said row.

9. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias in spaced relation, and means for transferring said decalcomanias from said support to articles, said means including a plurality of elements and mechanism for moving said elements laterally to apply said decalcomanias in different spaced relation on said articles.

10. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias, a plurality of elements for, transferring said decalcomanias from said support to a plurality of articles, and mechanism for moving said elements in one direction from said support toward said articles and in a different direction to align with said articles.

11. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a

support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias g arranged in spaced relation in a single row, and means for transferring said decalcomanias from said support to a plurality of articles arranged in differently spaced relation in more than one row, said means including a plurality of elements arranged in nested relation for removing the decalcomanias from said support and mechanism for spreading said elements to align them with said articles.

12. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a plurality of relatively closely spaced decalcomanias, and means for transferring said decalcomanias from said support to a plurality of relatively Widely spaced articles, said means including a plurality of elements for removing the decalcomanias from said support, means for moving said elements in one direction toward said articles and in another direction to align them with said articles, and means for aligning said elements longitudinally in pairs.

13.1In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias in a single row, a second support for holding `a plurality of articles arranged in a double row, and means for transferring decalcomanias from said support to said articles, said means including a plurality of elements arranged in tvvorows, the elements in one row `being laterally offset With respect to the elements in the other row, mechanism for moving said elements longitudinally from said support to said articles, and mechanism for moving the elements in the two rows into longitudinal alignment with each other over said articles.

14. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a decalcomania, an element for transferring said decalcomania from said support to an article, means for moving said element toward said article, and additional means for moving said element toward said support Without interrupting the first mentioned movement of said element.

15. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a decalcomania, an element for transferring said decalcomania from said support to an article, means for moving said element toward said article, additional means for moving said element toward said support without interrupting the rst mentioned movement of said element, and means for applying suction to said element during said movement toward said support to remove the decalcomania from said support.

16. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a support for holding a plurality of decalcomanias, a plurality of elements for transferring said decalcomanias from the support to a plurality of articles, means for moving said elements in one direction toward said articles and in a different direction to align with said articles, additional means for moving said elements toward said supportl without interrupting their movement in said one direction, and means for applying suction and fluid pressure successively to said elements to remove the decalcomanias from said support and to apply them to said articles.

17. In a machine for applying decalcomanias to articles, a magazine for holding a plurality of sheets of decalcomanias, a turret having a plurality of faces, each of said faces having means for positively securing a sheet of decalcomanias thereon, mechanism for feeding sheets of decalcomanias one at a time from said receptacle to said means for securing them on the turret, and means for transferring decalcomanias from the sheets on said turret to the articles.

18. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a magazine for holding a plurality of sheets of decalcomanias, a turret having a plurality of faces, feeding mechanism for removing sheets of decalcomanias from said magazine and impaling said sheets on pins projecting from the faces of the turret, means for transferring decalcomanias from the sheets on said turret to articles, and mechanism for indexing said turret with respect to said feeding mechanism and said transferring means.

19. In a machine for applying decalcomanias having a support provided with retaining means transferring said decalcomanias from said turret to an article, and mechanism for indexing said turret to successively present said decalccmanias to each of said means.

21. In a machine for applying decalcomanias, a turret adapted to carry decalcomanias, means for'placing decalcomanias on said turret, means for moistening said decalcomanias, means for transferring said decalcomanias from said turret to an article, and mechanism for indexing said turret to successively present said decalcomanias to each of said means.

WILLIAM M. MUIR. 

